A new series of comics from Marble, the publishing house who brought us Superbman, Cockroach Man, The Stretch, Deep Six Man, and many others is launching a series bases on the Hare Krishna Movement's GBC. The idea came about when CEO Irving Feldstein accepted initiation from one of ISKCON's Gurus, who instructed him to render spiritual service while remaining in his present post. Mr. Feldstein says that this new series is meant to honor his spiritual master and also to make him richer.
The Hare Krishna-inspired Super Heros will sometimes work together as members of a League of Justice modeled after the GBC, but will have individual adventures as well. Their job is to enforce their own codes of ethics, which mirror ISKCON Law. They meet once a year in the town of Mayhempur to iron out all the difficulties in the world caused by criminals posing as good decent national leaders.
Mr. Feldstein explains that one of the most exciting new characters is Argumentative Man, whose character is based on conversations he happened to read on the PAMHO Disciples Forum. Like ISKCON's old-timers—who alternatively reminisce and then power-trip over one another—Argumentative Man will display the same abilities in his fight against not only crime, but also against birth, death, old age and disease. In the first issue, Argumentative Man disarms and arrests a bank robber by confronting him and arguing over the variables in velocity of a 9×19mm Parabellum cartridge under differing atmospheric conditions. His arch foe is Authority Man.
Another exciting new character is Obeisances Man. Obeisances Man lives undercover as a reporter for the online journal, Sampradaya Sun. In his alter ego his name is Rankin Phyle, but as Obeisances Man he fights crime with his partner, Humble Slob. In the first issue, we find Obeisances Man along with Humble Slob lined up against the wall with the guns of the Mob pointed squarely at them and ready to spew hot lead. Deftly and suddenly, Obeisances Man offers each of them his humble obeisances and, finding them confused by the tact, he tackles each one and disarms them.
Mr. Feldstein said his inspiration came from GBC members who use the espression, "Please accept my humble obeisances" in a clever attempt to undermine others and to extract free service from them. He noted that when a leader offers his obeisances, it is usually followed by a command such as "Call my chauffeur, Prabhu." or "Why haven't you ironed my dhoti properly, Prabhu?"
Feldstein says that one of his most exciting new characters is Epicurean Man, a super-hero with a truly unique modus operandi. The introductory episode begins when he is criticized by his peers for preaching renunciation while constantly slathering his senses by devouring gourmet victuals. Yet we find that he, too, has his own methods, which may not at first be well understood by ISKCON's insignificant little peons. Whenever a crime is committed, Epicurean Man arrives at the scene in his kitchen-on-wheels, called the Gastronome Mobile. Then he offers the crook a lunch of fresh saffron basmati rice, two different spiced dals lightly chonked, eggplant and cauliflower pakoras cooked in ghee from Brown Swiss cows, chapattis made of either spelt or jawar or bajra, grated ginger, an organic freshly picked salad with lemon juice and freshly ground white and red Indonesian peppercorns, mango lassi and served with several sweet and vegetable chutneys. Naturally solid silverware is offered. No hardened criminal can refuse—especially when they note that Epicurean Man has a better scam going than any of them! Truly, Epicurean Man is the idol of the underworld. In the series we will see that many honest followers of truth, justice and the American Way turn to crime just for the opportunity to dine with Epicurean Man!
One of the most controversial Super Heroes is Interfaith Man. Interfaith Man always intercepts crooks involved in their dastardly crime spree and invites them to his conference. He offers them a friendly handshake, lights a few candles and of course, discourses with them on the virtues embodied in all religious faiths. And, since he has no concrete solution, he always lets the criminals go. He wonders… who is he to judge what is right or wrong, anyway? Interfaith Man knows well that all paths lead to the same goal.
Then there is Credit Card Man, who stops criminals by explaining that he has come to collect their past debts and offers them a lower interest rate if they will immediately agree to pay up with their credit cards. Credit Card Man is so expert that he also forces them to pay their dues to the demigods! And he even takes American Express and Diner's Club!
Another Super Hero is a sort of composite avatar inspired by the joining together of Srila Krishnapad, Srila Shripad, Srila Vishnupada and Srila Gurupada into one character. This Super Hero will be known as Srila Arthropada, and he is endowed with the ability to take the form of even extinct insects, arachnids and crustaceans in order to penetrate the underworld. His greatest foe will be two twin gurus of crime who are known as Two-Peas-In-A-Pada.
"And this is only the beginning", Feldstein explains. "Once the series takes off we've got Super Hero characters based on each one of the GBCs. We don't want any one of them to feel left out. Wait till you see the movie!"
Replies
this is brilliant satire. who wrote it?